Today In History: Al Capone Arrested in Joliet

On this day in 1927 one of the most famous characters in organized crime was on a train from southern California, likely to shake down big timers in Hollywood, back home to Chicago. His route took him through Joliet, but he didn’t get much farther than that…at least not right away.

The Joliet Police Department arrested Al Capone on this day 93 year ago along with six of his body guards.

93 years ago (12/16/1927), @JolietPolice arrested notorious criminal Al Capone.

Capone took a train from CA back to IL, with a planned Joliet stop. JPD Officers arrested Capone & 6 bodyguards, who were illegally carrying firearms, at Joliet Union Station. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/TaHPj97tAp

— Joliet Police Department (@JolietPolice) December 16, 2020

 

He was arrested, paid bail, and instead of fighting the guns charges for which they were arrested, they just plead guilty and paid a $2,600 fine.

That’s it.

Capone was even super polite about it, as this excerpt from a story the Northwest Herald from a few years back recalls:

“Please to meet you,” Al Capone said to (JPD Captain) McCanna, according to the Tribune.

Al Capone and his men were jailed in Joliet, according to the museum. After making bail, Al Capone promised to “make a good big donation to the worthy charities of Joliet,” and he said he “wasn’t mad at anybody,” according to the museum.

Al Capone initially planned to fight the case, but he eventually pleaded guilty, according to the Tribune. He and his men paid a $2,601 fine.

Judge Fred R. Adams told Al Capone that perhaps the conviction and fine would be a lesson to him, and Al Capone agreed, according to the museum.

“Yes, judge, it certainly will. … I’ll never tote a gun again in Joliet,” Al Capone reportedly said.

Peerbolte said newspapers at the time quoted “really good stuff” from the arrest and trial.

The Trib did a great recap of the events of this day in 1927 in Joliet. Check it out…great stuff!